Hood fastener



July 19, 1932 1. s. KEELER 1,

HOOD FASTENER Filed Feb. 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l Q INVENTOR- Isaac 5. Kcclcr Z BY E July 19, 1932. l. s. KEELER HOOD FASTENER Filed Feb. 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w: i m mm m E W m A Patented July 19, 1932 warren stares r-Ar Nr OFFICE ISAAC S. KEELER, F GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO KEELER BRASS COM- PANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN HOOD FASTENER 1 Application filed February 21, 1931. Serial No. 517,437.

The main object of this invention is to provide a hood fastener which may be easily engaged and disengaged and at the same time holds the hood in closed position under sub stantial stress.

A further object is to provide a structure having these advantages in which the parts of the catch, except the handle, are disposed on the inner side of the hood.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary View in section on line 11 of Fig. 3 of the parts of an automobile hood structure with my improvements embodied therein, the hood being shown in closed position by full lines and in partially open position by dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation partially in section looking from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partially in section on line 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section corresponding to that of Fig. 1 showing a modified form or embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary inside view or a view looking from the left of Fig. 4:.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents an automobile hood or closure member mounted for swinging movement, 2 the jamb against which it closes, and 3 a part of a vehicle body. My improved fastener or catch comprises a latch or escutcheon plate 4 which has a slot 5 therein, the closure member having a registering slot.

The plate t carries inwardly and upwardly projecting spaced catch members 6 having downwardly and outwardly inclined upper surface 6 which is the keeper-engaging part of the catch. A lever-like latching member 7 is pivoted at 8 between these members 5 so that the upper edge 9 of the latching lever lies, when the parts are in engaged position, in substantially the plane of the keeper engaging surface 6, constituting in efiect an extension thereof.

The latching member 7 is provided with a handle portion 10 projecting throughthe latch plate. The latching member has an upwardly curved tip 11 to facilitate engagement with the keeper so that the inner end of the latching member may be swung downwardly to pass through the keeper and then swung upwardly to lift and guide the keeper into engagement with the catch at the inner side of the latching member pivot 8. i

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the keeper 12 is bail-shaped and disposed hori- Zontally, the'arms of the keeper having offset portions 18 provided with eyes to receive the attaching bolts 14. The keeper is of spring or resilient material so that it engages the'catch under stresswhen the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, acting not only to retain them in closed position but to draw the hood or other closureinward owing to the engagement of the resilient keeper member with the inclined surface of the catch. 1 I

To release the catch the member 7 is swung upwardly and at the same time the closure is drawn outwardly so that the catch may be readily withdrawn from the keeper.

In the embodiment illustrated the closure.

is provided with a buffer 15 for the handle portion of the member 7. The. latch member may be very easily engaged and disengaged and at the same'time the parts are held under substantial stress.

In the modification shown in Figs. t and 5 the keeper 16 is provided with a shank 17 slidable in a yoke-like support 18. The spring 19 is, arranged onthe shank in supporting engagement with the thrust member 20 and the upper end of the support urges the keeper yieldingly downward.

sioned so that the hood is not only held downwardly but is drawn inwardly, thereby effectively preventing rattling. Further, the parts are concealed so thatthe structure is very attractive in appearance.

To manipulate, the handpiece of the latching member may be grasped and an up; ward pull not only releases the latch but the handpiece may be used to manipulate the hood. The same is true in closing the hood.

I have illustrated and described embodiments of my invention which I have found very satisfactory. I have not attempted to illustrate or describecertain other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1 In a structure of the class described, the

combination with a swinging closure member, of a slotted latch plate mounted on said closure member and provided with an inwardly projecting catch having an outwardly and downwardly inclined keeper-engaging part, and a lever-like latching member pivotally mounted by means of a fixed pivot on the inner end of said catch and disposed through said slot in said latch plate, said latching member having a substantially flat keeper sliding surface and being curved upwardly at its inner end and constituting means for lifting and guiding a spring keeper into engagement with the inclined keeper engaging part of said catch as the closure member is swung to closed position, said keeper engaging said catch at the inner side of and below said latching member pivot when the parts are in latched position.

2. In a structure of the class described, the

I combination with a swinging closure memher, of an inwardly projecting catch provided with an outwardly and downwardly inclined keeper engaging part, and a leverlike latching member pivotally mounted by means of a fixed pivot on said catch and disposed through said closure member to be manipulated from the outside thereof, said latching member having a substantially flat keeper sliding susface and being mounted on said catch to constitute a movable extension therefor for lifting and guiding a keeper into engagement with the inclined keeper engaging part of the catch at the inner side of and below the latching member pivot.

3. A structure of the class described comprising a bail-shaped spring keeper disposed horizontally, an inwardly projecting catch having an outwardly and downwardly inclined keeper-engaging part, and a leverlike latching member pivotally mounted on the inner end of said catch, said latching member being curved upwardly at its inner end constituting means for lifting and guiding the keeper into engagement with the in clined keeper engaging part of said catch as the catch is swung t0 keeper-engaging position, said keeper engaging said catch at the inner side of and below said latching member pivot when the parts are in latched position.

4. A structure of the class described comprising a horizontally disposed bail-shaped spring keeper, a catch having an inclined jecting catch, a lever-like latching member pivotally mounted on said catch and disposed through said closure member to be manipulated from the outside thereof, said latching member being pivoted on said catch so as.

to be engaged by said keeper when the closure member is in closed position, and a buffer for said latching member on the outer side of said closure reacting to the force of said spring keeper through said latching member.

6. A structure ofthe class described comprising. an inwardly projecting catch having an outwardly and downwardly inclined keeper-engaging part, and a lever-like latching member pivotally mounted on the inner end of said catch, said latching member being curved upwardly at its inner end constituting means for lifting and guiding a keeper into engagement with the inclined keeper-engaging part of said catch as the catch is swung to keeper-engaging position, the keeper engaging said catch at the inner side of and below said latching member pivot when the parts are in latched position. V

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ISAAC S. KEELER. 

